So this is less of a continuation and more like me wanting to redo the one-shot since at the time I originally wrote it I was rushing to finish it all in an hour and felt I could do a little better with more time. So I'll leave the first chapter up for now but I guess this is my second attempt at the one-shot since I actually had time to write it out better.

I Do Not own The Legend of Zelda and Never Will

An unusual night descended upon the greenwood of the deeper parts of Faron as many people chose not to venture this far, allowing the scenery to remain mostly untouched by all those who dwelled here. Thinking about it further, he had wondered just who else lived this deep in the woods other than the one he wanted to see one last time.

Looking around, the spirit scanned the area as it seemed that without the Master Sword needing protection from those that sought to destroy it such as the Twili the imp had decided to let entry into his domain. Golden fur painted the beast as did his lone red eye that continued to scan the forest while moving deeper.

He never knew why but even in his later years the forest brought a strange comfort to him as he had a mixed feeling of nostalgia twisted with a small amount of fear. He was no fool, or rather not foolish enough to think that he would just be able to carelessly traverse this sacred grove and the deeper parts of the woods without protection.

Thinking back it was amazing that he was able to withstand the beckoning of the woods without… without a fairy.

Those thoughts were better left forgotten now, even if he had somehow found her then he wondered how she would react… how she would think of him…

Such thoughts however were interrupted by the sound of leaves rustling nearby, the wolf narrowing it's eye as it gazed warily at the pile, doubting that whatever it was could harm him. As the sound of a trumpet echoed out in the clearing a monster of sorts leaped out from the nearby tree and landed before him, the wolf saying nothing as he recalled the training dummy from his past experiences back when he once was alive. Though this one seemed a bit different than the others of his lifetime as it resembled more of the imp now, shaking it's head that resembled the face of a particular life-scaring moon from a particular place of his adventures it rose an arm up to attack.

Jumping back, the wolf held a bit of a grin, he should've known this was his old friend's way of saying hello after what seemed like years. As the puppet staggered to regain itself it began to make it's way over to the wolf before said wolf sighed before a rare grin seemed to form before he was bathed in a glowing light.

Gone was the shape of the Golden Wolf, now came the shape of the Mighty Warrior

To say he was a ghastly sight might have been an understatement; his form of a lingering shade was knowingly unkind to the eyes for many. He would even wonder if his own wife would scream at what he became.

Though he had a feeling that screaming would be the result of rage over fear…

With blade grasped and shield held, the specter prepared himself and waited for the puppet to make the first move, it did and rose it's arm clumsily to attack, the imp using quantity of number than quality in fighting prowess, it was strange to just see merely one. Sidestepping the attack the Skull Puppet as the imp would occasionally remark it as was shattered by the otherworldly steel. Then another sound of the horn-like instrument, and two more came to replace their fallen comrade.

And then four to replace the two…

And eight to replace the four…

As the last one fell the specter started getting impatient before a faint glimmer of lantern light caught the attention of the imp's old friend. said friend sheathed his blade and addressed the light itself. "Have you had your fun, old friend?" the shade asked with a raspy tone, he was amused but a little irritated at the lengths the imp had gone to for him. Or perhaps it should be something of honor?

"Aww, but I was just getting started… I knew I should've stayed further back" a slightly distorted yet childlike tone echoed out of the trees as the light vanished before the imp presented himself to the shade with a large toothy grin. The imp had changed greatly from the time that they were alive, though he was far from the only one, looking down at his hand the shade reflected upon his new form, a form he shed through a variation of the Song of Healing.

This was his self-exile, for his failure for being the hero that his kingdom, his time needed. Ever since growing up in the Kokiri Forest he held dreams of being a hero, helping people in need, how ironically it was that he would be the Hero of Time, a tale that never truly happened but was acknowledged as myth to many and a secret in all but a few selective sources. The Elder of Kakariko and the Gerudo that escaped with Nabooru before the war had occurred though it was mostly the knights of Hyrule and some of their descendants that knew of his tales of "Glory" as it were.

He knew the truth, both he and Zelda had known the truth as did the sages that regained their memories due to another divine prank. They never said anything nor held it against him. If they had then they hadn't shown it. Strangely enough though, it was rather interesting to say the least as the memories returning had done much great to help the hero of this timeline. His own generation as it were.

The Kokiri sought dwelling further into the forest was wise, making a haven that would once be the Forest Temple until they were eventually able to relocate deeper into the woods and away from the eyes of evil. If Ganondorf had returned then it would likely be a place where he would strike next upon his return.

It was a wise call from his people and his father…

What remained of the Great Deku Tree was what the Kokiri lived in, that old Forest Temple with a guardian spirit known as the Fairy of Wind. After the Kokiri left some monkeys began to make their way into the large tree while the Hero of Time questioned why at times.

Next were the Gorons, a group of his "Brothers" that had told great tales of his heroics as the mighty Dodongo Buster. Even in this time he had to relive certain aspects. While he never asked for the Spiritual Stones this time around he did look for his companion. Still even if he wasn't remembered for his adventure across time and dimensions he was remembered for being that kid who bombed some Dodongos and helped the Gorons reclaim a food source.

And as a Goron once himself he would admit that some stones did taste much better than others…

It was only later in life however that he gave up his bow referred to the Gorons as the Hero's Bow, it was nice that they kept it carefully watched and preserved for the next hero to use for his own.

Next were the Zora, he missed the time he swam around the lake before the war, though granted it was short-lived and rather ended in a Tektike trying to attack him at one point or other. Still looking back, he was grateful to know that he was considered a true friend of the Zora as well. Ruto had still developed her admiration of him but it was eventually redirected at what would be her lover-turned fiancé and eventual husband.

Despite that they did remain close and even had discussions with them in their domain when he was in the area and not fighting in the war. Her husband was a stubborn one full of heart, much like his wife that he would often feel out of place when they had a minor… disagreement over the slightest things.

He'd give the king credit for that, he would typically let his own wife win those arguments unless it was important or life-threatening. It wasn't like he'd win against her when she actually tried to stress a point. Shamefully as it was they got a dog to look over their daughter and argued about the name for three weeks, eventually their daughter just named it "Puppy" and they both just accepted it.

But still Barky was still a better name then Snuffles…

His wife, oh how he missed her. She was a farm girl he met as a child and after returning to Hyrule after failing to find his old friend it seemed like he was truly stranded without a home. The Kokiri Forest was left abandoned and the forest blocked off from the war that took place, even before the first invasion happened the Kokiri were forced to flee deeper with their father's protection guiding them to sanctuary. Impa and Zelda had each offered him a place at Kakariko Village and at Castle Town but with him having the Triforce of Courage it was too risky for him to dwell in a place where Gannon would have eventually struck.

That left the Lon-Lon Ranch. It was still a bit of a way but accessible and once a fort during the Hylian Civil War. With Talon and Malon accepting him and Ingo having a working hand to help him, despite being a "Measly Kid" it was agreed to let him stay. Eventually the war occurred and Link had to fight alongside Ingo and Talon.

How strange it was to learn that both Talon and Ingo were retired Hylian Guards but a pleasant one nonetheless. Taking down several monsters the King had somehow commanded with ease with some Gerudo fighting off Talon and Ingo. Those were the signs of Gannon processing the Triforce of Power that everyone overlooked.

The specter let out a tired sigh as he was brought back to reality, the imp starting to seem a little nervous when the hero realized he zoned out. "Sorry, old friend. I was… thinking about better days, what were you saying?" he asked as the imp frowned but understood.

"I was saying that you should be proud of your grandson, spooky" the imp said in a mix of praise and teasing as the shade frowned at the nickname.

"Skull Kid" the specter said slightly annoyed at the name, "You can stop calling me that ridiculous name" the shade said as the imp seemed to consider it for a second.

"Nope" he chimed up afterwards without a second thought as he popped the P of his response, much to the shades amusement. At least one of them still retained a sense of humor over the years. "Still, I'm shocked you're still here, I mean shouldn't you have passed on by now… or are you here for your lantern now" he asked as the shade merely said nothing.

"Not quite yet, I wanted to ask you something-"

"The last time you asked me for something it was to look after the temple and the Master Sword… heck after all that time I started going crazy and thought I heard a voice coming from it, so whatever it is I'm not guarding anything for your undead butt again" he said clearly as the shade pondered what he said, deciding to ask him another time he got to the point.

"Nothing like that, old friend. I merely wanted your opinion of the newest hero" he explained as the Skull Kid looked at him before frowning.

"Still refusing to call him your grandson, huh?" the imp asked as the shade frowned. For what he indirectly and directly made the Hero of Twilight endure did he have a right to call him his grandson? Or rather did he have a right to call himself his grandfather?

"It is best… if he doesn't learn the truth… not yet anyways" he said with a bit of hope mixed with lament, the imp sighed.

"Yeah, sure, whatever. Look to answer your question…" the imp started, thinking back to their times in the forest and how he fought was hard, they had only met twice and even so it was brief. Still to gauge his abilities it was harder said than done. "He is as skilled as you were as a teenager, even with those hormones for the princess" the imp stated bluntly as the shade couldn't help but let out a small chuckle. Oh yes wasn't that the truth. Somehow he and the Twilight Princess had grown over their adventure and it reminded him of Ruto's feelings for him on both sides. It was romance that blossomed and he already wondered what his great-grandkids would look like.

He deserved to find happiness, not because it was his grandson or the hero, everyone deserved happiness…

Perhaps one day even him

"Skill wise outside the bow and sword his magic usage is downright horrible to near offensive" the imp said bluntly as the shade nodded.

"Up until I met the Great Fairy I was incapable of using magic. It was a miracle that my own daughter could produce some but we were not really all that magical… the men in my family I mean" he said as he recalled looking up his family to see if he could learn more about his parents. His father a royal knight and his mother a noblewoman from Castle Town as well as a skilled mage.

"Yeah, he's not going to be anywhere as skill as you, Mr. Magician" the imp said with a laugh as the shade nodded, it was alright, he proved himself without it plenty of times before and he knew he would again and again.

"So… why aren't you going back?" the Skull Kid asked as the Hero's Shade looked at him confused. "What, you know what I mean. You created yourself that hollow body of negative emotions to live on and help the kid defeat Gannon, right? Well I mean the guy was stabbed through so I think you're able to move on now"

"…There is still much work to be done, old friend. I can't rest until-"

"Then let them focus on it" the imp said as the shade cocked his head at the statement. "What, this is there time now, Link. We can't and won't always be there for them you know. Sometimes you have to have faith" he said as the shade looked down to the ground.

"Have faith, huh?" he asked himself, recalling the words of a particular seller of masks while the imp smiled deviously.

"Unless, can it be… are you, Link; the mighty Hero of Time, greatest swordsman in your generation… afraid to face the dreaded red-haired farm girl?!" the imp asked dramatically as Link looked at him with a deadpanned look, or at least as deadpanned as the shade form would allow.

"…Kind of" he admitted as the imp now looked at him with a mixed amount of confusion and interest. "Considering that she has a lot to yell about when we meet again in the next life I think staying here for a few more decades would be… understandable" he said while the Imp nodded. Oh yeah, he knew. She nearly killed him with the knight's shield after the incident.

On the plus side it inspired that Shield Bash technique of Link's, not that he would ever admit it out loud

"…Well angry wives aside I think it's time for you to move on. You're body is getting slower, we both know that" the imp said as the shade frowned.

"…You realized that as well then…" the shade said as he returned to his wolf form, the red eye looking into the imp's orange ones as he nodded sadly.

"I have matured a bit, Link. Living as long as I have and spending three years with that scary monster does that to you" the Skull Kid said as Link nodded, it sounded about right. He wondered if Impa still saw the imp as a mischievous monster after all this time, spending three years with him and all.

"Indeed, old friend" he said as he looked down in contemplation for what seemed to be minutes. Skull Kid was growing worried as the sun would be up soon. What exactly caught his interest so much to- "I think… it is time to depart after all" the hero said as the imp looked at him before feeling the shock of it all.

"Oh… alright then" he said a little taken back by his friend's decision before looking at the lantern he held before offering it up to the wolf. Taking the lantern in its maw the two made their way deeper into the forest, past the grove, past the temple, and after an hour of traveling stopped at a stump near a few trees. Looking at it they could hear a small whistling of the wind playing sobering melodies of memories.

"Well then… I'm ready" he admitted hesitantly as the imp nodded, looking at the etchings of the bark with what appeared to be a boy, an imp, two streams of light and four towering beings in their own right. It was a long time ago since they visited this stump now.

Readying his flute, the imp felt a bit of sadness grow in his heart. Once again he felt like he would lose another friend. The wolf however placed the lantern down and began to glow again, this time instead of a shade came the appearance of a younger man. Blond hair, a sole blue eye and wearing an all-too-familiar green tunic of the Kokiri… "Link… why are-" the imp asked before the ghost quickly embraced his old friend one last time.

"Thank-you, Skull Kid…" he said with a small smile as the imp said nothing before returning the gesture. As they let go, the ghost re-attach his lantern to his belt at the hip before the imp looked down before readying his instrument once again. He knew this day would come eventually, that his friend would have to leave. But he would be strong this time. He lost his friends before… but he knew that the memories would remain.

"…Link, one last song" the imp suddenly said as the ghost looked at him having been caught off guard at the request; he wanted a last… a final… song? "After you died the first time we never really played all-too-much after that. So let's play together one last time, alright?" he asked hopefully as the hero went silent. However a small smile appeared and he took out a familiar instrument, blue in sheen and fitting perfectly into the knights hands were a simple ocarina.

It would be enough…

Sometime later the imp began the song while the knight repeated and provided support to the duet; the sound of their music was eerily comforting to them in the middle of the dark forest as both were caught up in the music, a normally cheery tune of warmth and friendship having somehow turned to sobering acceptance. Yet despite the sound it was filled with memories of the good and bad times. Reminding the imp the many memories he had, their meeting in the forest, their encounters in Termina, their reunion in the later bits of the war and their times they would occasionally meet and play their duets, a trio sometimes when he brought his daughter with him.

"Hey, Skull Kid… do you think you can do me a favor?" the imp recalled the knight's voice. "I won't be here forever, or at least not here to play the hero. This sword is important to me, to Hyrule as well. Look after it and the ruins here, just until the next hero can get the sword and this last piece of the a mirror or something. So, would you be alright in looking after this place?"

That was their promise, a promise he kept for his friend, and now he could faintly hear a tearful thanks from the knight in his memories. It was a bit much for him to realize that their duet became a solo quite a while ago now. as the imp stopped playing, no sounds were left in the forest. Looking around at the realization of his loneliness once again, the imp felt a bit of sadness at the departure but a bit of happiness as well.

While the light of the new morning began to shine through the forgotten greenery, the imp made his way back to the grove, a bit of moisture falling from his cheeks before he wiped it away. They would meet again someday but for now he supposed he should find something else to do. It was after returning to the Sacred Grove that he felt something near the entrance, a disturbance in the area.

Frowning, the imp prepared to scare off the unlucky fools that got too close to his home, he wouldn't kill them or anything but mess around a little. Hiding in the trees however he froze when he saw the two. it reminded him of a few decades ago… or for one of the travelers… maybe a week or two?

The hero of the kingdom and the princess had decided to stop by and visit? Oh, well in that case maybe he should leave them be. It would be unwise to attack the Hero of Twilight and the Princess of Hyrule after all. Yet a thought came to mind as he saw them venture in the next room. He and Link were friends, he and Zelda were friends, and he even managed to befriend Link's daughter and this new hero's mother.

Now with that in mind, why couldn't he befriend the hero and princess of this time as well? It would keep them all entertained. His eyes shined with some mischief and his grin widened. Oh yes, they would be great friends. And what kind of friend would he be if he didn't have some fun with them.

Link and Zelda both froze when they heard the musical trumpet of the imp followed by a loud laugh that echoed into the area. Grabbing his sword and instinctually facing off against the imp and his puppets for the third time, Link charged in to battle with a frown, hoping that the imp wouldn't be here today. Zelda however turned up to see the Skull Kid with a grin on his face, nodding at her in a sense of acknowledgement of perhaps a form of greetings of sorts. The princess remembered tales of a forest protector that swore loyalty to the Royal Family in her grandmother's time but that would have to wait until later. For now, she would prepare herself for a fight as the sounds of Link and Skull Kid's game of tag echoed in the area. The forest was alive with the sounds of chaos.

And in the imp's opinion, he wouldn't have it any-other way.

Alright, and there we have it, I hope you liked it and if it was a bit better than the first one. I hope you all have a good day and take care.